Raspberry Lemonade and Ruin (Peridale Cafe #23) by Agatha Frost - Starting August 1st, 2021

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Change is afoot in Peridale. Wellington Manor is about to gain a new owner, and that same person is trying to buy the local library. Can Julia and Dot's recently formed neighbourhood watch group save the library before it's turned into a restaurant?

[Leah]

Chapters 1-5:
(view spoiler)[The library is closing. Neil and most of the town are blaming Katie. She is selling her manor house to a property developer named James. He was found holding a gun at the farewell party. His wife was shot. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 5.


(view spoiler)[Katie is selling her manor. This causes issues with the library. Now the family is fighting. When Katie threw a last party someone is shot. Of course the person holding the gun won't actually be the killer. (hide spoiler)]

[Leah]

Chapters 6-10:
(view spoiler)[James has been released from jail. He is staying in Jessi's flat. He was attacked with a hammer and is at the hospital. Barker had a book signing at the library. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 10.


(view spoiler)[We found out that James and his son didn't always get along but recently tried again. They think his wife was having an affair. Now James has been hit in the head and is being taken to the hospital. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 1-5:
[spoilers removed]"


He's too obvious of a suspect.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 6-10:
[spoilers removed]"


Now that he's been hurt we know it wasn't him.

[Leah]

Chapters 11-15:
(view spoiler)[James was released from the hospital. Mindy is still at the hospital. Ruth is operating a fake company to steal a lot of money. Ed was having a relationship with James' son, and Mindy was having an affair with her trainer. (hide spoiler)]

[Leah]

Chapters 16-19:
(view spoiler)[Ruth is the one who tried to kill James. She wanted his money. He wanted a replacement mom. He is moving to Peridale permanently along with his son. The library was saved. James bought it and gave it to the town. The manor was paid off and sold. Katie opening a nail salon in December. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 15.


(view spoiler)[We found out that his wife had many affairs. He believes she was siphoning money from his accounts. Ruth is the one behind the sale for the manor. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 11-15:
[spoilers removed]"


A lot of people seem to be cheating.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm finished.


(view spoiler)[Ruth was behind everything. She wanted money. The library was saved and Katie is starting up a new shop. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 16-19:
[spoilers removed]"


I'm glad that the father and son are trying to make things work.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 5.

I'm glad she's finally selling. I fell bad that nothing she tried worked out there.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 10."

James is having a lot of trouble right now with everyone he knows. I feel a little bad for him.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 15."

I wasn't sure who was behind it, but I didn't think it was her.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm finished."

That was a sad thing for her to do. As smart as she was, she didn't think things through.